Casa Italiana Language School
Literature and Culture
Casa Italiana offers also classes to enrich the knowledge of the Italian culture and literature.
Each semester there is a new, fascinating course! From Italian movie classics to literary classics, to the study of characters that have made Italy what it is today, Casa Italiana's teachers will show you another side of the "Bel Paese".
LA REGINA SENZA TRONO
by Ornella Albanese
The novel takes place in the historic time that ended the ancient world. It concerns the fascinating character of Amalasunta (born 495 AD) the only child of the Ostrogoth King Teodorico. Although she was strong and well educated, when she was seated on the throne she did not rule. It was her husband who was chosen for her who actually reigned.
Students will discuss the book and present research proposed by the instructor in class.
Tuition: $395 (12 weeks)
Tue. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM;
Instructor: Marisa Darvish ONLINE
Starts: Sept. 17 – Dec. 03
ANTHOLOGY OF ITALIAN CINEMA
Selections from movies will provide mature students with a rich overview of Italian history and society. Discussions and role play will serve as a pretext for improving conversation skills and fluency, while analyzing the cultural and social aspects of the Italian lifestyle. Grammar and syntax will be reviewed, as necessary, during class discussion.
Movies: the course will be devoted to the following movies: "Lazzaro felice" by Alice Rohrwacher, "C'è ancora domani" by Paola Cortellesi e "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo" by Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Tuition: $230 (12 weeks)
Mon. 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Instructor: Ingrid Nifosi ONLINE
Starts: Sept. 9 – Dec. 9
ITALIAN THROUGH THE RENAISSANCE ART
The Renaissance has profoundly influenced Western culture and is indissolubly linked with Italy and with Florence, which was its cradle. What better way to broaden your knowledge of Italian language and culture than to dialogue through the centuries with some of the most brilliant artists who made the Bel Paese an extraordinary laboratory of ideas and a great forge of beauty? In each session we will focus on the life and works of one of the following artists: Antonello da Messina, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. The activities carried out in the classroom and at home will include listening, reading, discussions, and exercises.
This class will be held in Italian and is aimed at intermediate/advanced students.
The learning material will be provided by the course's instructor.
Tuition: $200 (6 weeks)
Sat. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructor: Laura Vinti ONLINE
Starts: Oct. 5 – Nov. 9
WINEMAKING COURSE
Interested in learning the art of winemaking? This course is for you.
Italian wines come in many different styles and are constantly evolving, making them an exciting combination of old-world tradition and modern innovations in grape growing and winemaking. The study of both traditional and modern techniques of Italian wine making will take you through four major geographical zones within Italy to not only explore the history of viticulture and winemaking in each of Italy’s major areas, but also analyze the unique regional geographic features that impact their wines. Winemaking is an important part of Italian culture, and this knowledge will help you craft the wines you wish to make from varieties of grapes available in America. We’ll help you prepare for your personal journey as a winemaker through all the artful steps of the winemaker from crushing and pressing grapes to fermentation and aging of wine.
Your instructor is William Meaux. With both an Italian mother and French father, he comes from families with rich wine heritage. He owns a private label winery in Nokesville, Virginia and owns a small farm and winery in Italy in his family ancestral village of Bugnara (AQ) Abruzzo. He has been making wine for 36 years.
Tuition: $250 (8 weeks)
Starts: Sept. 22 – Nov. 10
Course book: Techniques in Home Winemaking; Author Daniel Pambianchi - Véhicule Press